by Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) CanadaPosted: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 4:19PM EDT

OTTAWA - Canada's fish and seafood sector is an integral part of the economic and social fabric of many coastal communities across the country. That is why the Government of Canada and our provincial and territorial governments are collaborating to modernize the sector. Innovation in this sector, which is integral to the Canadian economy, means more job opportunities for hundreds of small coastal and Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada, and across the country.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and our provincial partners in Atlantic Canada are pleased to announce that the over $400 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) is now open for business and accepting proposals.

The AFF will focus on growing opportunities and increasing market value for sustainably sourced, high quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada. Investments flowing from the fund will position the fish and seafood sector in Atlantic Canada for long-term sustainable growth and will support continued industry efforts to provide consumers with high-quality, sustainably sourced, Canadian fish and seafood products.

The AFF is now accepting applications from proponents in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia and industry associations and organizations, including research institutions may apply.

Further information on eligibility, project criteria and application forms can be found on the Atlantic Fisheries Fund Secretariat website at: http://atlanticfisheriesfund.ca/

To be eligible, projects must focus on:

Innovation – to support research and development of new innovations that contribute to sustainability of the fish and seafood sector, and to create partnerships and networks that aim to promote and encourage innovations in the sector;

Infrastructure – to adapt new technologies, processes, or equipment to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the fish and seafood sector

Science Partnerships – fisheries and aquaculture industry based partnerships with academia and institutions to enhance knowledge and understanding of the impacts of changing oceanographic conditions and sustainable harvesting technology.

In the coming weeks and months, the Government of Canada and our provincial partners will engage with a broad range of stakeholders including industry participants, Indigenous groups, Non-Government Organizations and the science and academic communities. This engagement will continue throughout the life of the program and will inform investment priorities and identify opportunities and potential partners.